From River City to Pine River: ‘Music Man’ opens Friday

From River City to BayfieldBayfield High School to stage musical at Performing Arts Center

Harold Hill persuades the people of River City they need to start a band in their small town. Hill is played by Jarod Lane in the Bayfield High School production of “The Music Man.”

Melanie Brubaker Mazur/Pine River Times

Brianne Marr, left, sings of a future love with her music student, Amaryllis, portrayed by Amber Stephenson.

Melanie Brubaker Mazur/Pine River Times

Marion talks with members of her family during dress rehearsals for “The Music Man.” They are played by Amber Stephenson, Gage Roberts and Kathryn Tobias.

Melanie Brubaker Mazur/Pine River Times

The first meeting between Harold Hill and Marion the librarian is a frosty one.

Melanie Brubaker Mazur/Pine River Times

Ready for some fast talking, romantic singing and a sweet love story set in a small town?

“The Music Man” is just the ticket.

“A fast talking con-man pretends to know something about music, poses as a band director and cons a small rural community out of their hard-earned money for instruments and uniforms,” said the show’s music director, Derek Smith, who is also Bayfield High School’s music teacher. “I love this play. Something about it speaks to me on a personal level.”

“The Music Man” is the story of Harold Hill, portrayed by Jarod Lane, a traveling salesman and “band director” who convinces the residents of River City, Iowa, that they need to start a band to keep the town’s young people out of the billiards hall. He will also conveniently sell them the instruments and uniforms.

Marian Paroo, the town librarian, is on to his scheme, but finds herself secretly falling for him. She is played by Brianne Marr.

“The Music Man” will open Friday at the Bayfield Performing Arts Center. Showtime is at 7 p.m. The show will also run Saturday and March 22 and 23.

The book, music and lyrics are by Meredith Willson, which are based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey.

The show became a big hit on Broadway, premiering on Dec. 15, 1957, and running for 1,375 performances. It won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a leading Role in a Musical, and was adapted for the screen in 1962.

If you go

What: Bayfield High School Theatre Department presents “The Music Man.”

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